Trump administration plans to go after left-leaning groups is prompting fear among nonprofits and activists that the government will run roughshod over the first amendment in their pledges to target them in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death.

Vice President Vance and Stephen Miller, a White House deputy chief of staff, made clear they would use Kirk’s death as a rallying cry to target left-wing groups they claimed were disproportionately responsible for provoking political violence.

“With God as my witness, we are going to use every resource we have at the Department of Justice, Homeland Security and throughout this government to identify, disrupt, dismantle and destroy these networks and make America safe again for the American people,” Miller said in a conversation with Vance, who was guest hosting Kirk’s show this week.

“We’re going to go after the NGO network that foments, facilitates and engages in violence,” Vance added.

There’s no indication Kirk’s shooter had broader associations, but Vance vaguely accused "radical left lunatics" of fomenting extremism.

It’s not clear what the legal basis would be for any prosecution and also unclear is who they plan to go after – though 100 different nonprofits immediately sensed they may be a target.

In an open letter Wednesday, the groups – which have spoken out against political violence – said such moves would impact both their advocacy and their funding.

“Organizations should not be attacked for carrying out their missions or expressing their values in support of the communities they serve. We reject attempts to exploit political violence to mischaracterize our good work or restrict our fundamental freedoms, like freedom of speech and the freedom to give. Attempts to silence speech, criminalize opposing viewpoints, and misrepresent and limit charitable giving undermine our democracy and harm all Americans,” the coalition said in the letter.

Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) said such efforts would be a clear abuse of the justice system and a constitution that protects free speech, but would nonetheless let the process be the punishment for vulnerable groups.

“They are just looking for an excuse to go........

© The Hill